I think he was only successfully blocked tonight 2 times.. Against a pretty damn good OL.

He will end up in the HOF if he stays healthy.

Anyone disagree? If you do.. you obv didn't see the clinic he put on tonight.

This guy is an ANIMAL.

obviously there is room for debate on this. No subject is without it. Stroud, Henderson, Hampton are all around his level and in my opinion are all interchangeable as the number 1. harris is a top tier DT and may be the best, but he is in no way shape or form the clear cut best

I love Harris, but you're forgetting that this isn't last year's Seahawks' O-line. He played a pretty terrible interior line, actually. But, he's nearing where Henderson and Williams are, and has a ways to go before he gets to Shaun Rogers.

He's a monster, and a pretty humble guy, all things considered. I'm not ready to put him in the HOF yet--especially as the Bears have a history of great defensive linemen (from Doug Atkins to Dan Hampton and Richard Dent). But if he continues to perform at the level he's been hitting lately... or, even scarier, if he continues to improve... well, he should probably consider buying a condo in Hawaii.

He is extremely good. And the defensive scheme that Chicago plays just lets him shine and look even better. However I don't think he is top 5 yet. Close though. Top 10 yes, but not top 5.

Could you name 5 better? I can only say 3 are on his level or maybe a little better. Henderson Stroud and S Rogers.

Should we start bringing 3-4 NTs into the discussion or are we takling strictly 4-3.

4-3 because 3-4s have diff responsibilities, right?

Yes, but the original post said all DTs. On top of the three you listed, I still think Rod Coleman is better than Harris for now. And both those DTs are very similar in how they play the game. If Harris could keep this up all year, I would have to say Harris but I doubt he can keep this up because that would be quite the unbelievable season. When healthy Kris Jenkins is still better. He is also right on par with Haynesworth and Kevin Williams. So I would say there are 5 better than him in my opinion and then there are 2 more that he is interchangable with. 6-8 in my quick rankings. But if you add 3-4 players he would drop down a couple more spots.

He might be the best passrusing DT, but there are a lot of good DT's out there that merit consideration. But some of the one Jughead mentioned are a bit silly. Have you seen much of Tommie Harris? Keep this up? He was first team all NFL last year, this isn't some kind of fluke. He's been more or less dominant since he entered the league.

He might be the best passrusing DT, but there are a lot of good DT's out there that merit consideration. But some of the one Jughead mentioned are a bit silly. Have you seen much of Tommie Harris? Keep this up? He was first team all NFL last year, this isn't some kind of fluke. He's been more or less dominant since he entered the league.

Who is silly that I mentioned ahead of him? And I thought he was undeserving of being first team all NFL. He only received that honor becuase of the players around him. I put him in the 6-8 range as far as best 4-3 DTs. For such a passrushing threat, he only had 3 sacks last year. I know that isn't everything and you can still be disruptive without getting sacks but 3 is a bit low. This year he already has 5 which is amazing but I want to see him keep this pace. The scheme and talent around him really helps him.

He might be the best passrusing DT, but there are a lot of good DT's out there that merit consideration. But some of the one Jughead mentioned are a bit silly. Have you seen much of Tommie Harris? Keep this up? He was first team all NFL last year, this isn't some kind of fluke. He's been more or less dominant since he entered the league.

Who is silly that I mentioned ahead of him? And I thought he was undeserving of being first team all NFL. He only received that honor becuase of the players around him. I put him in the 6-8 range as far as best 4-3 DTs. For such a passrushing threat, he only had 3 sacks last year. I know that isn't everything and you can still be disruptive without getting sacks but 3 is a bit low. This year he already has 5 which is amazing but I want to see him keep this pace. The scheme and talent around him really helps him.

Tommie is in the backfield on almost every play. He elevates the players around him and is double teamed most of the time. Both of the sacks he had last night were when he completely bulled both the guard and the center. He also has almost caught the handoff twice in the last two games now.

I like Rod Coleman. Rod Coleman ain't Tommie Harris. And while Kevin Williams might have been an elite DT in his first few years, his play has dropped off a bit for whatever reason. In terms of disruption I don't think anyone is better than Tommie (although I'd accept Shaun Rogers as just all around better). In terms of stopping the run I'd be glad to give you Henderson, Stroud, Hampton, etc. But nobody penetrates the interior line like Tommie. At least nobody that I've seen.

id have him top for me because he has his best years ahead of him, he has 5 sacks in 4 games :shock: which is awesome for a DT and also hes finally hit that next level which has made him reach his full potential, who knows, there may be more room for improvement

He is a top 3 DT along with Shaun Rogers and John Henderson (ignoring players in a 3-4) . He is probably the best pass rushing 1 gap DT in the NFL. Kris Jenkins and Kevin Williams might be in this discussion if it was 2 or 3 years ago, but right now they are not playing up to their potential.

He is a top 3 DT along with Shaun Rogers and John Henderson (ignoring 3-4 NTs) . He is probably the best pass rushing 1 gap DT in the NFL. Kris Jenkins and Kevin Williams might be in this discussion if it was 2 or 3 years ago, but right now they are not playing up to their potential.

I agree on Kevin Williams but Jenkins is playing pretty damn well again. It wasn't that he ws playing badly, the guy was hurt the last two years. The guy played in 5 games the last two seasons. Is it any suprise that Peppers is looking better than he has the last two seasons once Jenkins came back.

He is a top 3 DT along with Shaun Rogers and John Henderson (ignoring 3-4 NTs) . He is probably the best pass rushing 1 gap DT in the NFL. Kris Jenkins and Kevin Williams might be in this discussion if it was 2 or 3 years ago, but right now they are not playing up to their potential.

I agree on Kevin Williams but Jenkins is playing pretty damn well again. It wasn't that he ws playing badly, the guy was hurt the last two years. The guy played in 5 games the last two seasons. Is it any suprise that Peppers is looking better than he has the last two seasons once Jenkins came back.

The fact that Jenkins is about a 20% to make it through a 16 game season is all the more reason to preclude him from this discussion. And so far the Panthers D does not look impressive at all. Is it that hard to remember the Falcons absolutely steam-rolling them in week 1?

He is a top 3 DT along with Shaun Rogers and John Henderson (ignoring 3-4 NTs) . He is probably the best pass rushing 1 gap DT in the NFL. Kris Jenkins and Kevin Williams might be in this discussion if it was 2 or 3 years ago, but right now they are not playing up to their potential.

I agree on Kevin Williams but Jenkins is playing pretty damn well again. It wasn't that he ws playing badly, the guy was hurt the last two years. The guy played in 5 games the last two seasons. Is it any suprise that Peppers is looking better than he has the last two seasons once Jenkins came back.

The fact that Jenkins is about a 20% to make it through a 16 game season is all the more reason to preclude him from this discussion. And so far the Panthers D does not look impressive at all. Is it that hard to remember the Falcons absolutely steam-rolling them in week 1?

Thats just one game, the first of the year, against the number 1 rushing team in the NFL. And no one is even close to the Falcons rushing attack. Since then they have looked very well. But the problem with the Panthers is their LBs. Both Jenkins and Peppers have played very well.